Rand Paul Absurdly Proposes Russian Help as Best Hope for Christians in Syria

Rand Paul took to the airwaves Sunday morning to speak with David Gregory on Meet the Press. During his conversation, he took the ridiculous stance that Russia poses the best hope for a “peaceful transition of government” in Syria, and that it doesn’t serve Christians in Syria for the rebels to win—because they’ll be persecuted.

He said:

“The Russians have every reason to keep their influence in Syria, and I think the only way they do is if there’s a change in government where Assad is gone, but some of the same people remain stable. That would also be good for Christians. I think the Islamic rebels winning is a bad idea for the Christians. All of a sudden we’ll have another Islamic state where Christians are persecuted. Really, the best outcome for all the major powers would be a peaceful transition in government, and Russia could influence that.”

In other words, his “plan” for Syria would somehow be a Russian-controlled transition in the current government, where “some” of the same people associated with Assad remained in power.

Let me say that another way. Rand Paul is advocating that the best plan is to let some of the very people responsible for killing over 120,000 Syrians, possibly using sarin gas as well, stay in power—and let Russia aid in the transition.

Russia.

A country that hates the United States and almost goes out of its way to antagonize us by supporting some of our biggest enemies.

First, if he really thinks there’s a possibility of a “peaceful transition” in government—he’s an idiot. You don’t wage a nearly three-year-long civil war, use chemical weapons and commit genocide, then agree to a “peaceful” transition of government.

Especially when another part of his plan would be the retention of some of those who are currently part of the corrupt and genocidal Assad regime.

Then his biggest player in all of this that he trusts to help in this transition is—Russia.

All because he feels this would be the best outcome for Christians. Not the majority of the Syrian people, or the country itself, but it’s what is supposedly best for the Christians in Syria. Christians, by the way, who make up only 10% of the Syrian population. But who cares about that other pesky 90%, right?

Who cares if the continued presence of parts of the current monstrous regime, with an aided transition to this new regime from Russia (one of our biggest enemies), isn’t best for the majority of the country—it’s what’s best for Christians!

It’s asinine statements such at these that make me laugh because they’re absolutely ridiculous. While most of the world is worried about the genocide that’s happening in Syria; the 120,000 that have died, the seemingly endless civil war and the possible use of chemical weapons; Rand Paul is worried about “what’s best for Christians.”

I’m worried about what’s best for humans — all of them. Regardless of their religion.

And that damn sure doesn’t include a “transition in government” by keeping elements of the current regime with the aid of Russia.

Only a fool would think that was the “best plan.” And with Paul’s comments that’s exactly what he looks like—a damn fool.

Allen Clifton is a native Texan who now lives in the Austin area. He has a degree in Political Science from Sam Houston State University. Allen is a co-founder of Forward Progressives and creator of the popular Right Off A Cliff column and Facebook page. Be sure to follow Allen on Twitter and Facebook, and subscribe to his channel on YouTube as well.